Today, we might have a small ribbon cutting with our elected officials when we open a bridge around here but in 1894 (some 123 years ago) the opening of what was called simply the Free Bridge and what we now call the Dix Bridge is a big deal.
The Schuylerville Standard reported on 9 May 1894
THE FREE BRIDGE VICTORY!
Appropriately Celebrated on Saturday Evening–Great Crowds, Speeches, Illuminations, and Music.
When it was first announced that the’ Free Bridge jubilation had been postponed until Saturday evening. some thought that the enthusiasm of the people would die out and that the celebration would be tame. But they reckoned without knowledge. The people had struggled too hard for this victory to give up so easily, and so soon lose their enthusiasm.
Promptly at eight o’clock P.M. the Victory Cornet band. which had been secured by the committee for the occasion marched to the residence of Chas. H. McNaughton, where Hon. W. R. Hobbie and wife were guests, and the procession formed with the distinguished guests and their host and hostess in the first carriage . The column marched to the school house over the route published in the STANDARD of last week.
Great crowds of enthusiastic people swarmed the roads and sidewalks. and the march to the school house was one constant ovation. the many bonfires, pyrotechnics, colored lights and illuminations all combined to make a very brilliant scene long to be remembered. On reaching the school house the citizens’ committee took their places upon the platform and Counselor Ostrander announced that the following oflicers had been appointed for the evening:
The Free or Dix Bridge still stands today. There seems to be a few stories about it and the dedication . So you can learn more about it here
Historian at Saratoga - Town of Saratoga 
At first, I could not place the bridge they were referring to in the article. Finally, I remembered that bridge and was reminded of how so sad I felt when they closed the bridge. I even thought about protesting the closing. This bridge was the my way to my childhood home and family who lived in Clarks Mills. So many times we would turn at the locks and have the opportunity to stop to see the boats coming and going. Then we drive on little further we had a discussion of the farmer’s laborers on the field to the left – if the field was ready to be planted, how the corn was growing, etc. We then found ourselves a chance to see the Hudson River as we crossed the Dix Bridge. I don’t recall I ever never knew the name of the bridge nor of the great ceremony and celebration of its opening! I am sure there was no celebration of its closing. When they closed the bridge it signified the closing of my childhood. Thanks for the history of the bridge!
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Interesting. I am just getting to this article now. This was a time when the government was seen as a protector against private toll profiteers. However, Hobbie had no problem taking the gift of a gold watch from the citizens. This article is from the old Schuylerville paper. I will check to see what the Greenwich Journal had to say, if anything.
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